The Saharan “rezzou” of France
(BRUXELLES2) Written during the first four weeks of Operation Serval, this essay (*) intends to explain " the modalities of an unprecedented French intervention in the heart of the Sahel ».
Under the direction of Thomas Flichy, a dozen contributors (around a strong core of Sciences Po. and the Coëtquidan Schools), equate the intervention with a " rezzou i.e., a rapid raid into enemy territory intended to plunder the opponent's resources. It is not an analysis of the operation in progress but to contextualize and make understand the stakes and circumstances of this war. the work recalls the interest of civil-military actions and the economic potential of Mali with its significant natural wealth. He wonders about the universalism of terrorism, a central question in the legal basis of the intervention. Triggered suddenly on January 11, 2013, the Serval military operation in Mali did not fail to arouse surprise. Above all, it marks a significant shift in French foreign policy in Africa and “ could lead France, after years of apparent disengagement, to regain its full place in the African theater ».
The question of cooperation with other African countries is introduced, recalling the Ivorian Félix Houphouët-Boigny for whom Europe and Africa could not live, progress and prosper, independently of any exchange. Faced with the threat to Europe (and its strategic interests) represented by the arc stretching from Afghanistan to the Gulf of Guinea, " it is up to France to propose to the European Union and the States of West Africa a new form of diplomatic and military intervention, excluding the tutelage of yesteryear and empowering local and national African actors, in order to to ensure the maintenance of peace. »
Thomas Flichy (director), as well as Grégoire Mathias and Jérôme Pâris will be at NATO headquarters (Luns Auditorium) on Monday October 4 to present the book.
(*) Operation Serval in Mali, The French intervention deciphered, pby the Synopsis group under the direction of Thomas Flichy, Lavauzelle editions, €14,80, 123 pages.
